FROM THE COLLECTION
LAURA STEWART, COLLECTIONS MANAGER/REGISTRAR
In Spring of 2015, Cincinnati conservator Michael Ruzga worked on Blue Spell by Hans Hofmann. The painting needed to be cleaned as well as conserved. Ruzga spent approximately 60 hours with the painting, bringing it back to its current vibrancy.
Many of the Art Museum’s members were able to meet Ruzga at the annual members’ meeting that year. Questions they asked included practical information for personal collections as well as information about Hofmann’s materials and technique.
This March, Ruzga will be back on the Oxford campus to clean a 16th century Italian oil on panel painting attributed to Francesco Bissolo. The image is a classic Renaissance rendering of the Madonna and Child. With the help of chemistry professor Dr. Andre Sommer, Ruzga will be researching information about the layers of paint, among other things, before he embarks on the cleaning program.
Meet the Conservator Programs
CONSERVATION CONVERSATION
PUBLIC PROGRAM
MON, MAR 13 | 10 AM | ART MUSEUM AUDITORIUM
The public is invited to converse with Cincinnati conservator Michael Ruzga at the Art Museum as he works on a 16th century Italian oil painting. Formerly Chief Conservator of the Taft Museum of Art, Ruzga has treated numerous paintings over the past twenty years, including works by Rembrandt, Renoir, Bouguereau and others. Co-sponsored by Miami University Art Museum Docent Program
CONSERVATION AT WORK
FACULTY & STUDENT PROGRAM
MON, MAR 13 | 12 – 1:30 PM| ART MUSEUM AUDITORIUM
Faculty and Students curious about professional opportunities in the field of conservation are encouraged to drop in on Michael Ruzga, Director and Head of Conservation at Fine Arts Conservation, Inc., as he works on a 16th century Italian oil painting in the Art Museum’s collection. Learn about conservation career paths, watch a demonstration, ask questions. Lunch available beginning at 11:40; students should stop by as their schedules permit. Co-sponsored by the Office of Career Services
For more information about developing class projects around MUAM collections, visit the Art Museum’s faculty pages.